Subways in China

According to a white paper issued by the State Council, China’s cabinet, in 2016, China will built about 3,000 kilometers of subways during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20) to release the traffic pressure in cities. As of January 2019, China has 38 urban subways, including 2 maglev line. Beijing is the first city to have subway in 1965 in the country, which has an urban rail transit system of 637 kilometers. Shanghai has the world’s longest built-up subway system, 705 kilometers by Dec 2018, with 16 lines having 415 built-up stations, transporting half of commuters in the city every day. 

1. Currently Operational Subways in China

Anhui

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Hefei Metro  26 December 2016  2 52.38 km

Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Beijing Subway 1 October 1969 22 636.8 km
Shijiazhuang Metro 26 June 2017 2 30.3 km
Tianjin Metro 30 September 2003 5 217 km

Chongqing-Sichuan

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Chengdu Metro 27 September 2010 6 226.01 km
Chongqing Metro 6 November 2004 10 313.60 km

Fujian

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Fuzhou Metro 18 May 2016 1 24.89 km
Xiamen Metro 31 December 2017 1 30.30 km

Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Dongguan Metro 27 May 2016 1 37.743 km
Foshan Metro 3 November 2010 1 32.16 km
Guangzhou Metro 28 June 1997 14 478.00 km
Mass Transit Railway  2 December 2007 11 175 km
Shenzhen Metro 28 December 2004 8 286.2 km

Guangxi 

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Nanning Metro 28 June 2016 2 53.10 km

Guizhou

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Guiyang Metro 28 December 2017 1 34.30 km

Heilongjiang

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Harbin Metro 26 September 2013 2 23.07 km

Henan

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Zhengzhou Metro 26 December 2013 3 95.41 km

Hubei

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Wuhan Metro 28 July 2004 12 318.00 km

Hunan

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Changsha Maglev Express 6 May 2016 1 18.7 km
Changsha Metro 29 April 2014 3 68.71 km

Jiangxi

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Nanchang Metro 26 December 2015 2 48.47 km

Jilin

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Changchun Subway 30 June 2011 5 100.17 km

Liaoning

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Dalian Metro 8 November 2002 4 153.66 km
Shenyang Metro 27 September 2010 2 59.68 km

Shaanxi

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Xian Metro 16 September 2011 4 126.55 km

Shandong

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Qingdao Metro 16 December 2015 4 171.80 km
Jinan Metro 1 January 2019 1 26.27 km

Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Hangzhou Metro 24 November 2012 3 117.60 km
Nanjing Metro 3 September 2005 10 378.00 km
Ningbo Rail Transit 30 May 2014 2 74.52 km
Shanghai Maglev Train 31 December 2002 1 30.5 km
Shanghai Metro 28 May 1993 16 673 km
Suzhou Rail Transit 28 April 2012 3 121.00 km
Wuxi Metro 1 July 2014 2 56.11 km
Wenzhou Metro 23 January 2019 1 34.77 km

Xinjiang

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Ürümqi Metro 25 October 2018 1 16.50 km

Yunnan

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Kunming Metro 28 June 2012 4 88.76 km

Taiwan

System Began Operation Lines in Operation Network Length
Taipei Metro 28 March 1996 8 191.50 km
Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit 9 March 2008 3 51.40 km
Taoyuan Metro 2 March 2017 1 51.03 km

2. Subways in China under Construction or Planning

Anhui

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Hefei Metro
5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; S1; S2
2020; 2021; 2022; 2022; 2023; 2024; 2025; 2025; 2025; 2022; 2022

Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Beijing Subway 3; 7(East Extension); 8(Middle Section); 11; 12; 14(Middle Section); 16(South Extension); 17; 19; 28; Batong(South Extension); Fangshan(North Extension); Changping(South Extension); Yizhuang T1; Houshayu T2 2022; 2019; 2021; 2022; 2020; 2021; 2021; 2021; 2020; 2023; 2019; 2020; 2021; 2019; 2023
Tianjin Metro 4; 10; 7; 8; 11; B1; Z4 2020; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2020; 2020; 2020
Shijiazhuang Metro
3(the rest section); 2; 4; 5; 6
 2020; 2020; 2022; 2023; 2023

Chongqing-Sichuan

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Chengdu Metro
6; 8; 9; 10(Phase II); 11; 17; 18
 2020; 2020; 2020; 2020; 2020; 2020; 2020
Chongqing Metro  5(South Section); Guobo(Phase II); 9(Phase I); 10(Phase II); 5(Phase II); Loop(Chongqing Library-Chongqing West Station-Haixia Road); 5(the rest of Phase II); 9(Phase II); 4(Phase II); 5(North Extension); 5A  2019; 2020; 2020; 2020; 2020; 2020; 2021; 2021; 2022; 2022; 2022

Fujian

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Fuzhou Metro
2; 4; 5; 6
2019; 2024; 2023; 2021
Xiamen Metro
2; 3; 4; 6
2019; 2020; 2021; 2022

Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Guangzhou Metro 3(East Extension); 5(East Extension); 7(West Extension); 7(Phase II); 8(North Extension); 8((2nd North Extension); 10; 11; 12; 13(Phase II); 14(Phase II); 18; 22 2021; 2021; 2020; 2022; 2019; 2023; 2023; 2023; 2023; 2022; 2023; 2022; 2022
Shenzhen Metro

Baoan; Pingshan; Nanbao; Shiyan; East Express Line; Longping

 2020; 2022; 2022; 2022; 2022; 2022
Foshan Metro
3; 4; 6; 9; 11 13
2021; 2022; 2022; 2022; 2022; 2022
Dongguan Metro
1; 3; 4; 5
2022; 2023; 2024; 2024
Zhuhai Metro
1; 2; 3
2024; 2024; 2025

Guangxi 

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Nanning Metro
2; 4; 5
 2020; 2020; 2021

Guizhou

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Guiyang Metro
2; 3; 4; S1; S2; S3; S4
 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023; 2024; 2025; 2026

Heilongjiang

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Harbin Metro
2; 3(Phase II); 4; 5; 6; 7
 2020; 2020; 2023; 2022; 2023; 2025

Henan

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Zhengzhou Metro
3; 4; 6; 8; 10
 2020; 2020; 2020; 2020; 2021
Luoyang Metro
1; 2
2021; 2022

Hubei

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Wuhan Metro 4(Phase III); 5; 6(Phase II); 8(Phase II); 8(Phase III); 10; 11(East Section); 12; 16; 19 2019; 2020; 2022; 2020; 2019; 2021; 2020; 2023; 2020; 2021

Hunan

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Changsha Metro
5; 6; 7; 8
 2020; 2021; 2022; 2022

Jiangxi

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Nanchang Metro
3; 4; 5; 6; 7
 2019; 2020; 2022; 2022; 2023

Jilin

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Changchun Metro
5; 6
 2021; 2022

Liaoning

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Dalian Metro 2; 5 ;13 2020; 2021; 2019
Shenyang Metro
9; 10; 3; 4; 6
2019; 2019; 2022; 2022; 2023

Shaanxi

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Xian Metro 5; 6; 8; 9; 14  2020; 2020; 2023; 2021; 2022

Shandong

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Qingdao Metro
1; 4; 7; 8
 2020; 2022; 2020; 2021
Jinan Metro
R2; R3; M3; M2; M1; R5
2021; 2020; 2023; 2023; 2024; 2024

Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Shanghai Metro 10(East Extension); 14; 15; 18; 19 2019; 2020; 2020; 2020; 2022
Nanjing Metro
Ningchu North; Ningju(South Extension); 1(North Extension); 2(West Extension); 3(Phase III); 4(Phase II); 5; 6; 7; 9; 10(Phase II); 11
2022; 2021; 2020; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2022; 2021; 2021; 2021; 2022; 2022; 2023
Suzhou Rail Transit
5; 6; 7; 8; S1
2020; 2022; 2023; 2022; 2022
Hangzhou Metro
3; 7; 8; 9; 10; Linan; Haining; Fuyang; Shaoxin
2021; 2021; 2022; 2021; 2022; 2021; 2021; 2019; 2021
Wuxi Metro
4; 5; 6
2020; 2022; 2022
Ningbo Rail Transit
4; 5
2019; 2020
Changzhou Metro
1; 2
2019; 2020
Nantong Metro
1; 2
2022; 2023
Wenzhou Metro
S2; S3
2021; 2025
Xuzhou Metro
 1; 2; 3
2019; 2020; 2020

Xinjiang

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Urumqi Metro
2; 3
 2020; 2021

Yunnan

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Kunming Metro
1(Northwest Extension); 2(South Section); 4; 5; 9
 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023; 2024

Gansu

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Lanzhou Metro
1; 2; 3; 4
 2019; 2020; 2023; 2021

Shanxi

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Taiyuan Metro
1; 2; 3
2022; 2020; 2023

Inner Mongolia

System Lines under Construction or Planning Expected Opening Date
Hohhot Metro
1; 2
2020

3. Ticket Fare of China Subway

System Price
Beijing Metro Based on distance. The starting price is 3 yuan/6 kilometers. Airport line is excluded.
Shanghai Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2(only Line 5)-3 yuan/6 kilometers. Shanghai Maglev Train is excluded.
Guangzhou Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/4 kilometers. 
Shenzhen Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/4 kilometers. 
Suzhou Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/6 kilometers. 
Hangzhou Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/4 kilometers. 
Shenyang Metro Based on stops. The starting price is 2 yuan/8 stops.
Tianjin Metro Based on stops. The starting price is 2 yuan/5 stops.
Chongqing Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/6 kilometers. 
Nanjing Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/10 kilometers. 
Harbin Metro Based on stops. The starting price is 2 yuan/8 stops.
Xian Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/6 kilometers. 
Kunming Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/4 kilometers. 
Wuhan Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/4 kilometers. 
Zhengzhou Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/6 kilometers. 
Chengdu Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/4 kilometers. 
Changsha Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/6 kilometers. 
Ningbo Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/4 kilometers. 
Dalian Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/6 kilometers. 
Qingdao Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/5 kilometers. 
Fuzhou Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/5 kilometers. 
Nanchang Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/6 kilometers. 
Guiyang Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/4 kilometers. 
Xiamen Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/4 kilometers. 
Shijiazhuang Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/6 kilometers. 
Nanning Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/6 kilometers. 
Hefei Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/8 kilometers. 
Dongguan Metro Based on distance.  The starting price is 2 yuan/4 kilometers. 

4. The “Most” of China Subway

The world’s largest rapid transit system by route length

Shanghai Metro. As of December 2018, Shanghai metro has opened 16 lines (line 1-13, line 16, line 17 and Pujiang line), one maglev line, with a total length of 705 km and 415 stations.

The first China metro system

Beijing Subway. Beijing is the first city to have subway in 1965 in the country, which has an urban rail transit system of 637 kilometers.

The longest subway line in China

Line 111 of Shanghai Metro.

The first intercity subway & The first line across cities

Guangfo(Guangzhou-Foshan) Metro opened in November 3, 2010.

The first subway line across provinces

Shanghai Metro Line 11. 

The first one-step circular metro line

Chengdu Metro Line 7.

The shortest subway line in China

Taipei Metro Xinbeitou Line.

The subway line with the most stations

Beijing Metro Line 10(45 stations).

The shallowest subway line

Tianjin Metro Line 1. The shallowest subway in the world, with a depth of only 2-3 meters.

The deepest subway lines

Line 10 of Chongqing Rail Transit.  It has the country’s deepest subway station – Hongtudi Station with a depth of 94.467 meters.

The largest metro station

Xinjiekou Station of Nanjing Metro.

The subway station with the most exits and entrances

Futian Station of Shenzhen Metro(36).